Improved zipper slider system

ABSTRACT

A zipper system (10), comprising a U-shaped core (18), comprising at least one zipper strip (12) characterized by a tape (14a,14b) and profile (11) and including a core (18) comprised of generally U-shaped bodies (16), and may or may not be comprised of a section of webbing (17) attached to the generally U-shaped bodies (16) or formed with the generally U-shaped bodies, and a core covering (24). A zipper slide means is used for opening and closing the strips (12) so that the first and second interconnection portions (11) of the strips may be both forced into engagement with one another and forced to disengage from each another.

This amended specification corrects and truncates the specification of International Application No. PCT/US2016/038332. This amended specification claims benefit of priority from the International Application. The International Application, which is incorporated in its entirety in this amended specification, was filed on the twentieth of June in 2016, and claimed the benefit of the priority: of Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/281,163 filed on Jan. 20, 2016; of Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/306,624 filed on Mar. 10, 2016; and of Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/317,603 filed on Apr. 3, 2016, all of which were incorporated in their entireties in the International Application and are incorporated in their entireties in this amended specification. This amended specification also claims the benefit of the priority: of Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/281,163 filed on Jan. 20, 2016; of Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/306,624 filed on Mar. 10, 2016; and of Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/317,603 filed on Apr. 3, 2016.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a zipper system, and specifically, to flexible closure strips.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various closure devices have been utilized to join together and separate pieces of fabric type material. Resilient fasteners, including those having zipper sliders, are well-known in the art. Fastening devices typically include two flexible elongated components having teeth or coils that are forced to interlock and separate by moving a zipper slider along the components. Generally, fasteners of this variety include a pair of flexible closure strips, each extruded from a polymeric resin material in continuous lengths and having an interlocking rib and groove structure. Such structures on each of the pair of flexible closure strips may be similar to one another, locking together in an interference fit. Alternatively, one of the pair of flexible closure strips may have a male interlocking member, while the other of the pair may have a female interlocking member into which the male interlocking member may be snapped in an interference fit. Non-similar strips have one male strip and one female strip. Similar strips are each both male and female/androgynous but not always exactly alike.

Resilient fasteners of either of these two of the flexible closure strips may be opened and closed with a zipper slider when pulled in one direction, and separating them when being pulled in the opposite direction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is disclosed a zipper system characterized by at least a first zipper strip having a profile/interconnection portion and tape extending the length of the zipper strip. The at least a first strip is constructed of more than one material selected from the group comprising materials that are rigid, semi-rigid, flexible, and semi-flexible. The zipper system comprises at least a first strip having at least a second strip similar to it.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The structure, operation, and advantages of the present invention will become further apparent upon consideration of the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures (FIGs.). The figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Certain elements in some of the figures may be omitted, or illustrated not-to-scale, for illustrative clarity. The cross-sectional views may be in the form of “slices”, or “near-sighted” cross-sectional views, omitting certain background lines which would otherwise be visible in a “true” cross-sectional view, for illustrative clarity.

In the drawings accompanying the description that follows, both reference numerals and legends (labels, text descriptions) may be used to identify elements. If legends are provided, they are intended merely as an aid to the reader, and should not in any way be interpreted as limiting.

FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional front view of mutually engaged improved zipper strips mounted on separate pieces of material, in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a three-dimensional back perspective view of the core of the strip of zipper, in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional back perspective view of a core embedded within a core covering forming a portion of the strip of zipper, in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a three-dimensional, cross-sectional front perspective view of a length of one portion of the strip of zipper, in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional top view of the two portions of the strip of zipper after they have been engaged and removably attached to each other, in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a side, three-dimensional perspective view of the two portions of the strip of zipper aligned therein to engage or disengage, in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a top view of an alternative manner in which the strips of zipper may be interlocked, in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a top view of the strips of zipper formed of the integral generally U-shaped body and webbing embedded within a covering. They are interlocked, in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a top view of an alternative manner in which the strips of zipper may be interlocked, in accordance with the present invention. Note that the two zipper tapes are aligned in the same direction.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the description that follows, numerous details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variations of these specific details are possible while still achieving the results of the present invention. Well-known processing steps are generally not described in detail in order to avoid unnecessarily obfuscating the description of the present invention.

In the description that follows, exemplary dimensions may be presented for an illustrative embodiment of the invention. The dimensions should not be interpreted as limiting. They are included to provide a sense of proportion. Generally speaking, it is the relationship between various elements, where they are located, their contrasting compositions, and sometimes their relative sizes that is of significance.

In the drawings accompanying the description that follows, often both reference numerals and legends (labels, text descriptions) will be used to identify elements. If legends are provided, they are intended merely as an aid to the reader, and should not in any way be interpreted as limiting.

Slide fasteners, commonly known as zippers, have long been known to be useful for the opening and closing of two adjoining pieces of material, such as a fabric type material. A traditional zipper is typically composed of a tracking base or tape made of substantially equal size portions of material, such as a fabric type material on either side, a series of teeth or coils that interlock upon closing and unlock upon opening that is attached to the tracking base, and a sliding means for opening and closing the interlocking teeth that are attached to each track that contains the interlocking teeth. However, traditional zippers have an inherent mechanical weakness due to the fact that their zipper strip is comprised of two series of tiny teeth or coils on a tracking base that interlock with one another by a force caused by pulling the two series of tiny teeth or coils of interlocking teeth toward each other when a sliding device is moved along the length of the tracking base. An opposite force is created when the two series of tiny teeth or coils on the two equal size portions of material, such as a fabric type material on the tracking base are pulled away from each, such as when the zipper is on a full suitcase that is being forced to close. Therefore, traditional zippers have an inherent weakness when they are stressed as they are stressed and pulled, interlocked and unlocked in the same force component. This makes for a very weak joint.

The improved zipper system 10 strip 12 utilizes a novel orientation and attachment of two zipper tapes 14 a and 14 b and profile/interconnection mechanisms 11 forming in combination a length of a zipper strip 12. The two tapes 14 a and 14 b of zipper strip 12, see FIG. 5, are mounted to separate portions of material, such as a fabric type material 15 a and 15 b, respectively. As explained in more detail hereinafter, the orientation of the two strips 12 of zipper, redirects the forces on the zipper system 10 out of the plane of the zipper strip 12, so that the zipper system is stressed and pulled in a different force component than it is interlocked and unlocked thereby causing less wear and breaks than the typical prior art zipper systems. Each of the strips 12 may or may not be provided independently of the other. The improved zipper 10 is designed to operate smoothly and reduce the friction commonly found with traditional zippers.

FIG. 1 illustrates an improved zipper system 10 mounted to separate portions of material, such as a fabric type material 15 a and 15 b, such as a garment or a suitcase. In general terms, the improved zipper system 10 is a structure consisting of two strips 12 that may or may not be interconnected to seal the zipper system into a closed condition, as shown in FIG. 5. The strips 12 are similar to one another because they are each both male and female strips. The improved zipper system 10 is configured such that the two strips 12 may or may not be opened and closed to form the sealed zipper.

The core 18 is comprised of one or more generally U-shaped bodies 16 that may or may not be interconnected to each other. It is also within the scope of the invention to include a wire carrier, a section of webbing 17 or to dispense the wire carrier with a section of webbing 17 to reinforce the tape and profile of the two strips 12. The generally U-shaped bodies 16 have two side walls 16 a and 16 b, and a connecting bottom wall 16 c. The generally U-shaped bodies 16 are typically constructed of metal and may have any desirable dimensions. There may be any desirable number of individual generally U-shaped bodies 16, generally determined by the length of zipper strip 12. It is within the terms of the embodiment that the generally U-shaped bodies 16 be made of wire that is not segmented. Further, it should be noted that the two strips 12 needn't incorporate a generally U-shaped core or a webbing.

FIG. 2 illustrates a detailed view of the core 18 of the strip 12. Although strip 12 is illustrated, it should be noted that the two strips 12 are similar because both have the same generally U-shape which is an androgynous shape.

The generally U-shaped bodies 16 are connected, although they may or may not be adapted to be easily removable or broken away from each other. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, upon each of the first and second side walls 16 a and 16 b is disposed one or more protruding connectors 18 a and 18 b, respectively, which is linked to one or more protruding connectors 18 a and 18 b of an adjacent generally U-shaped body. The connectors 18 a on each generally U-shaped body 16 are attached to the connector 18 a on an adjacent connector and the connectors 18 b protruding from each generally U-shaped body are attached to the connectors 18 b protruding from an adjacent generally U-shaped body. The linkage of these small connectors 18 a and 18 b ensures that while the generally U-shaped bodies 16 are connected, the bond therebetween is not overly rigid. This is due to the relatively small surface area of each connector 18 a and 18 b. There may or may not be protruding connectors on bottom wall 16 c though they are not shown. There may be any number of protruding connectors including zero protruding connectors since the generally U-shaped bodies may not be interconnected to each other.

The section of webbing 17 project outward from the two strips 12 and are attached to the separate portions of material, such as a fabric type material 15 a and 15 b, as shown for example in FIG. 1, adjacent to the location where the two strips 12 are to be opened or closed. Generally, the webbing portion 17 and core covering 24 are attached to the material by either a mechanical attachment method such as stitching or a heat attachment method such as a welding method or a chemical attachment method such as applying an adhesive. Webbing 17 includes a plurality of parallel rows 20 a, 20 b, 20 c, and 20 d, (20 a-20 d) of adjacent but unconnected grooves 22. There may be any desirable number of grooves 22 in the webbing 17.

The upper ends 16 d of the first and second side walls 16 a and 16 b are designed to be disposed within each of the grooves 22, thereby freely mounting the interconnecting generally U-shaped bodies 16 to a desired row 20 d of the grooves. Although row 20 d of the grooves is illustrated as being engaged to the interconnecting generally U-shaped bodies 16, any of the desired rows 20 a-20 d may be secured to the interconnecting generally U-shaped bodies 16.

FIG. 3 illustrates a detailed, cross-sectional view of the interconnecting portion 11 including core 18 covered by the core covering 24 of the strip of zipper 12. The core covering 24 extends over and encases the core 18 to form the strips of zipper 12. Note that in FIG. 3 the arrow to the core 18 indicates that the webbing 17 is part of the core 18 just as FIG. 2 shows the generally U-shaped body 16 is part of the core 18. The core covering 24 may be constructed of any suitable material, such as a temperature resistant material, such as a high temperature resistant film, a polymeric or elastomeric material, a woven material, and/or a non-woven material. The core covering/ may have a coating comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of polymer such as a laminate, film, paint, print, or fabric.

The core covering 24 extends over both the interconnecting generally U-shaped bodies 16, and the portion of webbing 17. The core covering portion 26 envelops the interior and exterior of the generally U-shaped bodies 16. The interior slot 26 a of the core covering portion 26 forms an interlocking portion 28 that is typically formed two ribs 27 a and 27 b projecting towards sidewall 16 b and opposite facing ribs 27 c and 27 d projecting towards sidewall 16 a of the two side walls 16 a and 16 b of each generally U-shaped body 16. The interlocking portion 28 is formed within the two side walls 26 a and 26 b and the connecting bottom wall 26 c. The interlocking portion 28 is designed to allow the two strips of zipper 12 to engage to one another as seen in FIG. 5. There may be any number of ribs and channels including zero ribs and channels.

As seen in FIG. 4, the interlocking portion 28 of sidewall 16 a includes first and second, solid form-retaining continuous longitudinally extending ribs 27 a and 27 b, respectively, extending outward from the first side wall 16 a and first and second solid form-retaining continuous longitudinally extending ribs 27 c and 27 d extending outward from the second side wall 16 b of strip 12. A curved, bottom interior wall 26 c extends from ribs 27 b to 27 d. The continuous longitudinally extending ribs 27 a, 27 b, 27 c, and 27 d are inclined inwardly towards the interior wall 26 c. A first longitudinal channel 34 is formed between the two solid form-retaining continuous longitudinally extending ribs 27 a and 27 b, and a second longitudinal channel 35 is formed between the second solid form-retaining continuous longitudinally extending ribs 27 b and the bottom wall 16 c. A first longitudinal channel 36 is formed between the two solid form-retaining continuous longitudinally extending ribs 27 c and 27 d, and a second longitudinal channel 37 is formed between the second solid form-retaining continuous longitudinally extending ribs 27 d and the bottom wall 16 c.

When the two strips 12 are interconnected as shown in FIG. 5, the ribs 27 a and 27 b are located on within the longitudinal channels 37 and 36, respectively, of the first zipper strip 12. The longitudinal channel 34 of the first improved zipper strip 12 is aligned with the rib 27 d of the second zipper strip 12 so that the two strips 12 are interconnected as shown in FIG. 5. At the same time, the rib 27 c is disposed within the longitudinal channel 35.

The core covering portion 24 extends over the webbing 17. The core covering portion 24 is attached to the separate portions of material, such as a fabric type material 15 a and 15 b by either a mechanical attachment method such as stitching or a chemical attachment method such as applying an adhesive to the core covering portion and then attaching the core covering portion 24 covering the webbing 17 to the separate portions of fabric 15 a and 15 b to be closed or by a heat attachment method such as heating the core covering to heat weld/bond the core covering to materials.

FIG. 4 illustrates a three dimensional, front perspective view of the strip 12. The interconnecting generally U-shaped bodies 16, and a portion of webbing 17 is enveloped by the core covering 24.

The strips 12 are engaged and removably attached to each other, as illustrated in cross-sectional view in FIG. 5. The strips 12 may lock together, as shown in FIG. 5, in an interference fit by the engagement of the longitudinal channels 34, 35, 36, and 37 and the four solid form-retaining continuous longitudinally extending ribs 27 a-27 d. The ribs 27 a-27 d prevent the first strip 12 from being easily disengaged from the second strip 12 once they are joined.

After the strips 12 are sealed each of the side walls 16 a of the generally U-shaped bodies 16 of a first strip 12 extend into the interlocking portions 28 of the generally U-shaped bodies 16 of a second strip 12. The first continuous longitudinally extending rib 27 a is lodged within the second longitudinal channel 37, and the second continuous longitudinally extending rib 27 b is lodged within the first longitudinal channel 36. Similarly, each of the side walls 16 b of the generally U-shaped bodies 16 of a first strip 12 extend into the interlocking portions 28 of the generally U-shaped bodies 16 of a second strip 12. The first continuous longitudinally extending rib 27 c is aligned with the second longitudinal channel 35, and the second continuous longitudinally extending rib 27 d is lodged within the first longitudinal channel 34.

The sliding means is the element that controls the action for opening and closing the zipper system 10 by making the pair of two strips 12 engage with and separate from each other. As shown in FIG. 6 the sliding means transverses in a first direction from the distal ends 21 a and 21 b of the strips 12, respectively, to the proximal ends 23 a and 23 b of the strips of zipper, the interlocking portion 28 formed within the two side walls 26 a and 26 b and the connecting bottom wall 26 c of each of the strips are forced into engagement with one another as seen in FIG. 5 to secure the two strips together. To disengage the strips 12 from one another, the sliding means is moved in a second opposite direction so as to transverses the strips from the proximal ends 23 a and 23 b to the distal ends, 21 a and 21 b whereby each of the strips are forced to disengage from each other. If desired the distal ends may or may not be secured together by a bottom stop 29, as shown in FIG. 1.

The strips 12 may lock together, as shown in FIG. 5, in an interference fit by the engagement of the longitudinal channels 34, 35, 36, and 37 and the solid form-retaining continuous longitudinally extending ribs 27 a-27 d. The ribs 27 a-27 b engaged within the channels 36 and 37, and the ribs 27 c and 27 d engaged with the channels 34 and 35 prevent the first strip 12 from being easily disengaged from the second strip 12 once they are joined.

FIG. 6 is a three-dimensional side view of the two portions of the strip of zipper 12 aligned therein to engage or disengage, in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a top view of an alternative manner in which the strips of zipper 12 may be interlocked by the generally U-shaped bodies 300 a and 300 b.

FIG. 8 is a top view of an alternative manner in which the strips of zipper 12 each formed with a generally U-shaped body 402 a and 402 b and integral webbing 404 a and 404 b as a core embedded within a covering 406 a and 406 b being interlocked.

FIG. 9 is a top view of an alternative manner in which the strips 12 may be interlocked by the generally U-shaped bodies 500 a and 500 b. In this embodiment, both strips 12 extend in the same direction.

Although the invention has been shown and described with respect to a certain preferred embodiment or embodiments, certain equivalent alterations and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of this specification and the annexed drawings. In particular regard to the various functions performed by the above described components (assemblies, devices, etc.) the terms (including a reference to a “means”) used to describe such components are intended to correspond, unless otherwise indicated, to any component which performs the specified function of the described component (i.e., that is functionally equivalent), even though not structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure which performs the function in the herein illustrated exemplary embodiments of the invention. In addition, while a particular feature of the invention may have been disclosed with respect to only one of several embodiments, such feature may be combined with one or more features of the other embodiments as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application. 

1-38. (canceled)
 39. A core (18) for unfastenably joining portions of material, the core comprising: one of: a generally U-shaped body (16) having two side walls (16 a, 16 b), and a connecting bottom side wall (16 c); and a plurality of generally U-shaped bodies (16) having two side walls (16 a, 16 b), and a connecting bottom side wall (16 c) and which are oriented open side to open side with each other in a row.
 40. The core (18) of claim 39, wherein any generally U-shaped body (16) interconnects.
 41. The core (18) of claim 40, further characterized by the generally U-shaped bodies (16) having protruding connectors (18 a,18 b), adapted to be linked to protruding connectors of an adjacent generally U-shaped body.
 42. The core (18) of claim 39, wherein any generally U-shaped body (16) is separate.
 43. A first zipper strip (12) comprising the core (18) of claim 39 adapted to be interlocked with a second zipper strip (12).
 44. The zipper strip (12) of claim 43, wherein the strips (12) are configured to interlock in a force component different from which they are stressed.
 45. The zipper strip (12) of claim 43, further comprising: ribs (27 a-27 d) that prevent separation of the zipper strips (12).
 46. The zipper strip (12) of claim 43 is further characterized by: an interconnection portion (11); and a tape (14 a, 14 b).
 47. The zipper strip (12) of claim 46, wherein the zipper strip (12) is further characterized by: the first and second zipper strips (12) being disposed with respect to each other so that when the zipper slide means traverses the first and second strips (12) in one direction, the first and second interconnection portions (11) of the first and second strips (12) are forced into engagement with one another and when the zipper slide means traverses the first and second strips (12) in a second opposite direction, the first and second interconnection portions (11) of the first and second strips (12), respectively, are forced to disengage from each another.
 48. The zipper strip (12) of claim 46, wherein the core (18) is further characterized by a section of webbing (17) attached to generally U-shaped bodies (16) that act to reinforce at least one of: the profile (11) and tape (14 a,14 b).
 49. The core (18) of claim 48 further characterized by a core covering (24) being one of: a core covering (24) formed such that the material is disposed over the core (18) and generally conforms to the shape of the core (18); and a core covering (24) formed such that the material is disposed over the core (18) and webbing (17) and generally conforms to the shape of the core (18) and webbing (17).
 50. The core covering (24) of claim 49 comprising a material selected from the group consisting of polymer, metal, ceramic, and composite material.
 51. The core covering (24) of claim 49 being coated with a material comprising polymer.
 52. The core (18) of claim 49 is composed of a material different and separate from the material of which the core covering (24) is composed.
 53. The core (18) of claim 49 wherein the webbing portion (17) and the core covering (24) attach to material by at least one of: a mechanical attachment method, a heat attachment method, and a chemical attachment method.
 54. The core (18) of claim 49 wherein the section of webbing (17) is formed with the generally U-shaped bodies (16).
 55. The core (18) of claim 49 wherein the section of webbing (17) is formed separate from the generally U-shaped bodies (16).
 56. The core (18) of claim 55, wherein the U-shaped body (16) is disposed within one of the unconnected grooves (22) in the section of webbing (17).
 57. A zipper system (10), comprising a U-shaped core (18), characterized by: at least a first androgynous zipper strip (12) comprising more than one material selected from the group comprising materials that are rigid, semi-rigid, flexible, and semi-flexible.
 58. The method for creating a zipper system: constructing the first androgynous strip (12) from more than one material selected from the group comprising materials that are rigid, semi-rigid, flexible, and semi-flexible; assembling the first strip (12) from a generally U-shaped core (18) and a core covering (24); and orienting the core so that the zipper strip can be used in a desired zipper system. 